Chapter 3
Ivar
Later that night, while I was in my chamber eating the food served by my mother, I heard the door creak open. When I turned, it was my maid, Ailis.
A smile formed on my lips, and I quickly left my bowl of food.
"My Lady," she said, bowing her head.
"Lord Ragnar sent me here," she said in a hushed tone. "He brought these."
I took the clothing from her and looked at it carefully, my brows furrowing. "He wants me to dress as a lowborn?"
"Aye."
"Why?"
"Because he wants you to meet him at the oak tree," she said. "He has something for you."
"Very well then," I replied, smiling as I turned around, and Ailis helped me out of my dress.
Once I had changed, she left my chamber. I lingered by the window for a moment before slipping out. The cold wind brushed across my skin as I made my way out of the servant's quarters and into the night.
Before I could go any further, two guards blocked my path.
"Princess Ivar," one of the guards stepped forward. "You should return to your chamber."
I ignored him. "Has Ragnar come through the gates?"
"He left here minutes ago. Shall we summon him for you?"
"No… No… I only need a moment for myself . I'll be at the oak tree, please."
"There are beasts in the woods," the guard said. "It is not safe for you to be there at this hour."
"I am well able to protect myself."
"If you must leave, you must have a guard with you."
"Let her be," came a deep voice, and when I looked ahead, it was Uncle Ragnar, dressed in a long black leather cloak. I smiled. The guards shivered, stepped back, and bowed their heads.
He took my hand, leading me away. We walked past the wattle fence and into the dark night.
"Where do you take me, Uncle Ragnar?" I asked as we walked along the quiet path.
"Have you ever set foot at the pleasure house?" he murmured.
"Pleasure house?" I asked. "You mean the brothel?"
"Aye," he said with a smile.
I paused. "Why take me to the brothel?"
"You often spoke of living a free life and explore the village, yet you're not given that privilege," he said. "What if I told you I could take you anywhere you wish to go tonight?"
"Really?"
"Come with me."
I smiled and followed him. As we walked, I caught sight of two men and a woman near a tree. She was pinned there as one of the men kissed her. The other had her legs spread wide and was taking her.
My eyes lit up with interest. It was common for men and women to engage in roadside sex when everyone else was asleep, as most couldn't afford the brothel.
Before I could look any longer, Ragnar pulled me away.
"Do you often visit the brothel?" I asked.
"Only when I'm here," he said. "I have plenty of women enough for pleasure in my village."
I chuckled. "So that is the reason you have refused to wed a woman?"
He paused, turning to me. "I have not yet found the woman who caught my interest."
"Men have no time for love," I said, walking past him. I could say boldly that my father never loved my mother; their marriage was not for love—it was arranged. "They marry for duty and pleasure alone."
"Or you could say the men of your village knows love naught."
"Is it any different with your tribe?" I asked.
"Very different," he smiled.
"I wish to travel with you to Draugrfolk one summers," I said. But my parents would never agree to it, especially my mother.
"The cold bites ten times there," he said.
When we arrived at the brothel, Ragnar ushered me inside. My eyes widened at the display of naked men and women.
Women danced naked, moving to the rhythm of the beating drum playing in the background. Völkru tattoos were embedded on their skin. Ragnar left me for a moment and returned with two cups.
I took one from him. "What is this?"
"Mead," he replied.
I brought it to my nostrils; it smelled of alcohol with a hint of honey. I had never had mead before.
Taking a sip, I felt a gentle warmth spread down my throat. It tasted sweet, like honey and fruit.
I drank the whole cup before handing it back to Ragnar.
"Come," he said, holding my hand. We walked through the crowd of naked men and women.
"I hope no one recognizes me here," I said.
"As long as you dressed as lowborn, no one will think to look twice at you."
I thought the first room was bad, yet it was naught compared to the second room. I saw men and women coupling in the corners. The women were pushed against the walls, their bodies spanked by men as cries of pleasure filled the air. This was the first time I was witnessing something like this, and I didn't know how to describe the feeling.
I saw a woman drop to her knees, taking a man's length into her mouth. I shivered, looking away as a blush formed on my cheeks. Men and women kissed deeply.
I wet my dry lips with my tongue, turning around to see Ragnar standing very close to me. My breathing hitched.
"Uncle Ragnar," I said.
"Shh," he brushed his thumb over my lips. "You do not call me that here. Just Ragnar."
"Ragnar," I said. "This… This is inappropriate."
"Did your mama never teach you of such things this?" he asked.
I shook my head.
"And yet they pester you with marriage," his fingers brushed down to my neck, making me shiver. "This is pleasure. A place folks often visit to forget their problems."
He leaned closer, capturing my lips with his. A low moan escaped as he licked up to my face. Without warning, I grabbed his face and kissed him back.